Andraste taught that evil exists because of humankind's pride. For this reason Thedas brought the darkspawn upon itself. When the Maker returns he will destroy all evil, including the darkspawn.
Until this return, the faithful believe the Maker watches, not so much an absent god as a passive observer. They do not believe the Maker will perform miracles on their behalf, but he will shead a tear for the suffering of those who do not deserve it. The Chantry's interpretation of Andraste's teachings emphasizes death, guilt, and the differences between races and genders.
Fire: Andraste went up in flames, her sins cleansed as she died. Flame is now a symbol of purity in the Chantry. Each temple maintains a brazier lit with an eternal flame in her memory, including the famed Holy Brazier at the Grand Chatherdral. It is considered a bad omen for a brazier to go out. Chantry members may also ritually burn themselves, passing their hand over flame, burning paper with written sins. In extreme cases the faithful may undergo branding and self immolation.
Penence: Guilt is a virtue in the Chantry. Andraste taught that all Theodosians have sinned in the eyes of the Maker and all must atone for this. Even the poor and unsavory are seen as requiring this atonement. Chantry charity focuses on these underclasses.
Death: At death it is believed the souls of the vitreous rise to the side of the Maker. Sinners are not so lucky, doomed to spend the afterlife wondering the Fade, forever seeking the Makers grace. The Chantry burn their dead, a reflection of Andraste's fate.
The Exalted and Anointed: The Chantry has called Exalted Marches against the elves, the Qunari, and more than once the Imperium. The faithful who give their lives to these holy wars earn as special place at the side of the Maker as the "Exalted". A still greater honor for service is be declared "Anointed" those seen as the hands of the Maker. This title is exceptionally rare.
Magic: The Chantry believes magic is a terrible gift, corrupting all if left unchecked. Andraste preached extreme caution with magic, and regulating it's use is one of the Chantry's central missions.
Gender: Gender roles are clearly defined in the Chantry, which sees women as the purer sex. Only women can be priests, only a women among these priests can be hold the office of Divine. Men are judged by Maferath's betrayal, and the Chantry does not permit them to rise to any senior spiritual role. They may be brothers at most, expected to study and serve but never leave. The exception to this is the Templar Order, where most members, including those in positions of authority male.
Nonhumans: The Chantry began and has continued to be a predominantly human organization. Other races are seen to be further from the Maker. The elves have their false pantheon of idols. The dwarves worship themselves. The Qunari are worst of all, actively cruising worship of the Maker and desecrating Chantry values in the name of the Qun. For these reasons other races are considered all the more worthy of saving. The Chantry believes the Maker won't return until even the Qunari sing his name.
Divine: The Divine is the revered head of the Chantry, which she oversees from her sunburst throne at the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. She is traditionally elected for life by the College of Clerics. The first Divine took the throne at the start of the Divine Age, shortly after the founding of the Chantry.
Grand Clerics: Grand clerics are powerful representatives of the Divine in regional matters. Each grand cleric oversees multiple temples in a region or city, and enjoys the power and influence reserved for their jurisdiction's highest nobility. Together they make up the College of Clerics.
Mothers: Mothers are priests who tend to a particular chanty. The senior priest at the temple is known as a revered mother. Mothers lead recitation of the Chant, as well as the preaching and practice of Andraste's teaching.
Brothers and Sisters: Under Chantry mothers come the rank and file members who devote their life to the Chantry. Brothers and sisters may come from all walks of life, be they nobles, orphans, or even criminals. They are given an education based on the virtues of the Chantry and occupy a variety or roles. Clerics may be Chantry academics who pursue and preserve it's knowledge. A senior cleric, called an elder, typically maintains the Chantry archives.
Chanters: Chanters are among the most devot members of the Chantry. They take strict oaths that include helping others above themselves and never uttering a word that isn't from the Chant. Chanters are often penitent sinners looking for atonement.
Templar Order: The templars are a proud and disciplined order of mostly human, mostly male warriors. Historically they are the policing arm of the Chantry. The primary focus of the templars is to restrict the use of magic. Templar practices have proven controversial, notably the use of highly addictive lyrium to resist magic. The order has been accused of exploiting the addictions of it's members, forcing them to stay with the promise of a steady supply of the rare and powerful mineral.
A large contingent of templars has in recent years, severed ties with the Chantry over differences regarding mage freedom. Nevertheless, it's core remains dedicated to the teachings of Andraste, in particular the importance of controlling magic.
Seekers of Truth: The other arm of Andrastian justice is far smaller and more secretive. The Seekers are the Divine's investigators- highly skilled agents that root out hidden threats to the Chantry and it's interests. While Seeker leadership tends to run parallel to the templars, senior Seekers ultimately outrank any templar. Traditionally the Seekers answered directly to the Divine. However, like templars, many Seekers now reject the authority of the Divine.
Hessarian, the Redeemed: Ordered Andraste's execution but later repented. He is credited with turning the Imperial to the worship of the Maker.
Brona: Andraste's mother.
Hector: Lord of the fortress of Navarra, one of Andraste's great strongholds. When Maferath betrayed Andraste and she was captured, Hector died attempting to defend Andraste from the Tevinters.
Shartan: Leader of the elven slave rebellion. He and other elves joined Andraste's cause against the Imperium after she freed them.
Justinia: A Tevinter slave and friend of Andraste. She stood by Andraste in her war against the Imperium. The first Divine took Justinia's name in tribute.
Havard: The disciple that gathered Andraste's ashes and took them to a safe place in the Frostback Mountains.